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--- switch_home_phone_from_verizon_to_usmobile [2026.03.11 15:23] – created Steve Isenberg
+++ switch_home_phone_from_verizon_to_usmobile [2026.03.17 13:07] (current) – Steve Isenberg
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-this from Claude
+Information as of 3/11/2025
-====== Switching Home Phone Service from Verizon to US Mobile ======
-This guide covers how to transfer your existing Verizon home phone number (e.g., 123-456-7890) to US Mobile's home phone service while keeping the same number.
+The US Mobile Home Phone Base info (from [[https://www.usmobile.com/shop/product/home-phone-base/WHB-PCP-AT-NE|US Mobile]]) - what's included
+  * Home phone base
+  * 1 home phone starter kit
+  * Free month of service
+  * Unlimited nationwide calling
+  * Unlimited International calling to 200+ destinations
+  * No internet connection required
+  * Keep your number (or pick a new one)
+  * Voicemail, Caller ID, and more
+  * Free backup battery
+  * Free shipping and 14-day returns
+  * The Home Phone Plan includes all taxes and fees
+  * 24/7 real human support and help
+Cost is: $110 (base station) + $119.99 (year of service) + 6.88 (tax) = $236.76
-===== Before You Start =====
+====== Switching Verizon Home Phone to US Mobile (Keeping the Same Number) ======
-<note warning>
+===== Overview =====
-**Do NOT cancel Verizon before porting your number.** Canceling first will permanently lose your number. Keep the Verizon account active until the port is fully complete.
+If you currently have **Verizon home phone service** and want to switch to **US Mobile Home Phone** while keeping the same number, the process is called **number porting**.
-</note>
-Gather the following information from your Verizon account before proceeding:
+The most important rule:
-  * Verizon account number (found on your bill or in My Verizon online)
+**Do NOT cancel Verizon service first.**\\
-  * Verizon account PIN or password
+The number must remain active until the port is completed.
-  * Billing address associated with the Verizon account
-===== Step-by-Step Switching Process =====
+The transfer is initiated **through US Mobile**, not Verizon.
-==== Step 1: Purchase the US Mobile Home Phone Base ====
+-----
-Buy the home phone base unit ($110) from the US Mobile website. This is a VoIP adapter that connects your existing phone handset to their service.
+==== Step 1 – Purchase US Mobile Home Phone Base ====
+Purchase the **US Mobile Home Phone Base** and select a service plan.
-==== Step 2: Sign Up for US Mobile Home Phone Service ====
+  * Device cost: about **$110 (one-time)**
+  * Service cost: **$119.98 per year**
-During signup on the US Mobile website, select the option to **transfer or port an existing number** rather than getting a new one.
+Wait until the base station and SIM card arrive before beginning activation.
-==== Step 3: Initiate the Number Port ====
+-----
-US Mobile will request the following information to port your number:
+==== Step 2 – Gather Required Information from Verizon ====
+You will need the following information to port your number:
-  * Your current phone number (e.g., 123-456-7890)
+  * Verizon **account number**
-  * Your Verizon account number
+  * **Number Transfer PIN**
-  * Your Verizon account PIN or last 4 digits of the account holder's SSN
+  * **Billing ZIP code**
-  * Your current Verizon billing address
+  * **Phone number** being transferred
-==== Step 4: Wait for the Port to Complete ====
+How to obtain the Transfer PIN:
-The porting process typically takes **2–5 business days**. US Mobile will notify you when the transfer is complete. Your Verizon line remains active during this period.
+  * Log into **My Verizon**
+  * Request a **Number Transfer PIN**
+  * Or dial **#PORT** from the Verizon phone
-==== Step 5: Set Up the Home Phone Base ====
+Notes:
-Once the port is confirmed, connect the US Mobile home phone base per their included instructions. Plug your existing handset into the base unit.
+  * The transfer PIN usually expires in **7 days**.
-==== Step 6: Verify Everything Works ====
+-----
-Make a test call both **inbound and outbound** before proceeding to the final step.
+==== Step 3 – Activate the US Mobile Home Phone ====
+Once the device arrives:
-==== Step 7: Cancel Verizon ====
+  - Log into your **US Mobile account**
+  - Choose **Activate Home Phone**
+  - Enter the **SIM card number**
+  - Select **Transfer an existing number**
-Only after confirming your number is fully working on US Mobile should you contact Verizon to cancel your service.
+-----
+==== Step 4 – Submit the Port Request ====
+You do this with US Mobile.  During activation you will enter:
+  * Phone number
+  * Current carrier (**Verizon**)
+  * Verizon **account number**
+  * Verizon **transfer PIN**
+  * Billing ZIP code
+US Mobile then submits the port request to Verizon.
+-----
+==== Step 5 – Wait for the Port to Complete ====
+Typical port times:
+  * Wireless numbers: **24–48 hours**
+  * Landline numbers: **5–10 business days**
+During this time:
+  * Verizon service **continues to work**
+  * Incoming calls still ring your Verizon phone
+-----
+==== Step 6 – Port Completion ====
+When the port completes:
+  * Verizon service automatically **terminates**
+  * Your number is now active on **US Mobile**
+Connect your phone like this:
+<code>
+Cordless Phone Base
+        |
+   (phone cord)
+        |
+US Mobile Home Phone Base
+        |
+   cellular network
+</code>
+Instead of a wall jack, your phone connects to the **US Mobile base unit**.
+  * Note, you can also connect the base unit to your home phone network.
+-----
 ===== Cost Comparison =====
-^ Period ^ Verizon ^ US Mobile ^
+^ Service ^ Cost ^
-| Year 1 | $300/year ($25/mo) | $229.98 ($110 hardware + $119.98 service) |
+| Verizon Home Phone | grandfathered $25/month ($300/year)\\ new lines $30/month ($360/year)|
-| Year 2+ | $300/year | $119.98/year |
+| US Mobile | $119.98/year |
-| **Annual Savings** | — | **~$70 in Year 1; ~$180/year after** |
+| Device | $110 one-time |
+Breakeven:\\
+For grandfathered line, breakeven is in 9 months:  $300 - (120+110) = 300 - 230 = 70 (about 3 months savings over a year)\\
+For newer line breakeven is in 8 months: $360 - (120+110) = 360 - 230 = 130 (about 4 month savings over a year)
+-----
+====== Common Pitfalls When Porting a Home Phone Number ======
+==== 1. Canceling Verizon Too Early ====
+This is the **most common mistake**.
+If you cancel Verizon before the port finishes:
+  * The number may be **released**
+  * The port **fails**
+  * You may **lose the phone number permanently**
+Always let **US Mobile complete the port first**.
+-----
+==== 2. Incorrect Account Information ====
+Ports often fail because of:
+  * Wrong **account number**
+  * Expired **transfer PIN**
+  * Wrong **billing ZIP code**
+If Verizon rejects the port, the transfer must be restarted.
+-----
+==== 3. Landline Ports Take Longer ====
+Many Verizon home phones are technically **landlines or VoIP lines**, which can take:
+  * **Several days to over a week**
+This is normal.
+-----
+==== 4. Losing 911 Address Registration ====
+After switching to US Mobile:
+  * You must **register your 911 address** with the new service.
+This ensures emergency calls send the correct location.
+-----
+==== 5. House Wiring Conflicts ====
+Do **NOT plug the US Mobile base into a wall phone jack** //unless and until the house wiring has been disconnected from Verizon//.
+Otherwise:
+  * Voltage from the old line can damage the device.
+Instead:
+  * Plug your **cordless phone base directly into the US Mobile unit**.
+-----
 ===== Tips & Reminders =====
@@ Line 70: / Line 205: @@
   * [[https://www.usmobile.com|US Mobile Website]]
   * [[https://www.verizon.com|Verizon Account Management]]
+======After You Have Switched======
+Now that your home phone is on US Mobile, here is information you can use.  It comes directly from USMobile.
+====Set up Call Forwarding====
+From [[https://usmobile.frontkb.com/en/articles/338368|Guide to setting up Call Forwarding]]
+====Set Up and Use Your Voicemail====
+From [[https://usmobile.frontkb.com/en/articles/345216|Guide to set up your Voicemail]]
+===Manage Voicemail===
+Your Home Phone can divert calls to voicemail when the user is unavailable. When a voicemail message is pending, there will be a couple of indicators to notify you:
+  - Visual - the voicemail LED indicator on the Home Phone Base will flash
+  - Audible - the dial tone will be intermittent instead of a constant dial tone
+===Set Voicemail Options===
+See [[https://usmobile.frontkb.com/en/articles/243264|USMobile link]] as the instructions are different for Light Speed, Warp, and Dark Star.  In general (note this may not always work):
+  - Press and hold 1 on the dialer until you are forwarded to the Voicemail. You can also dial *86 on the connected headset. Wait approximately 12 seconds to be connected to your voicemail inbox.
+  - If prompted, enter your voicemail password.
+  - Follow the prompts on the IVR and manage your voicemail options.
+===Check Voicemail Messages===
+  - Press and hold 1 on the dialer until you are forwarded to the Voicemail. You can also dial *86 on the connected headset. Wait approximately 12 seconds to be connected to your voicemail inbox.
+  - Enter your voicemail password, if you have set it up.
+  - Follow the prompts to listen to and manage your voicemail options.
+====Set up Voicemail/Visual Voicemail====
+US Mobile Device Specific Information.  See: [[https://usmobile.frontkb.com/en/articles/243264|USMobile page]]